8 Winter Car Care Tips

The winter months can be hard on vehicles, but there are steps you can take to keep your ride running strong even when temperatures drop. Performing some basic preventative maintenance and stocking up on emergency supplies can help keep you from getting in trouble and get you out of it in case something goes wrong.

1. Don't procrastinate

If your car idles rough, struggles to start or has a tendency to stall, colder temperatures are only going to make those worse. Get your car to a local shop and get any pre-existing issues taken care of before winter rolls around.

2. Change your oil and replace dirty air filters

These are two normal, yet crucial maintenance steps that can become even larger problems in harsher climates. Letting your oil go too long without a change begins to damage the inner workings of your engine, while dirty air filters make it run less efficiently.

3. Get your battery checked

Battery strength should be tested by a professional. If you’re having battery issues now, get it to a local mechanic to avoid getting stranded in winter!

4. Replace tires if needed

Like most other things on this list, worn tires perform worse when the weather deteriorates. If you think your tires are close to needing replaced, it’s probably a good idea to go ahead and get a new set. If you have low profile sport tires, you may need a set of snow tires with deeper tread if you’re in an area that will see some significant snow.

Cold temperatures can also cause tires to lose air, so you need to make sure your tire pressure is at the manufacturer recommended level. It’s also a good idea to make sure you have an inflator and that your car jack and spare tire are in good shape in case you have a flat.

5. Add fuel de-icer to your gas tank

Adding a bottle of fuel de-icer once a month helps keep moisture from freezing in the fuel line. If you know below-freezing temperatures are coming, it’s a good preventative step to take – especially if you have an older vehicle.

6. Flush your coolant

A 50/50 mix of water and antifreeze is recommended for the winter months. Do not remove the radiator cap to fill with the mixture until the engine has cooled.

7. Check your wiper blades

Visibility can be bad enough in a snowstorm, and it can get downright dangerous if your wiper blades can’t keep your windshield clear. If you’re looking for replacements, rubber-edged winter blades fight ice buildup best. You’ll also want to make sure your windshield washer solvent is full and you have some extra sitting around the garage as well. Keep a snow brush and ice scraper handy, too.